Southern California -- this just in

Raiders CEO defends fans after Candlestick Park violence

August 22, 2011 | 7:22
am

Oakland Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask came to the defense of the team's fans in the wake of violence at Saturday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers, calling the majority of Raider supporters "terrific people and terrific fans."

"I'm aware of the perception, and I don't believe the perception is the reality," she said. "Stereotypes are insidious. It's so simple to stereotype Raiders fans. It's an easy story. If you are hearing frustration coming through in my voice it's because there's frustration in my voice."

Trask, who serves on the NFL's Security Committee, said all teams in the league are serious about the safety of fans in the stands and in stadium parking lots.

Authorities were still sifting through evidence and puzzling over whether the incidents involved opposing fans. One of the shooting victims was wearing a T-shirt with an expletive-laced anti-49er slogan, according to police.

The violence occurred during and after the 49ers' 17-3 victory Saturday night in their home stadium. Videos taken by fans and posted online depict fights and aggressive behavior in the stands during the game. Callers to a Bay Area radio show Sunday said they had to navigate a gantlet of drunk and abusive fans just to go to a restroom.

Sgt. Michael Andraychak of the San Francisco Police Department said police and stadium security officials assigned extra staff to games between teams with a strong rivalry or whose fans have a history of violence. The 49ers-Raiders contest fit both those criteria and extra police were on hand.

A 24-year-old man who was shot multiple times in one of the parking-lot incidents remained in critical condition Sunday. After being shot, he managed to drive to a security office for help, Andraychak said. Another man in his 20s who was shot numerous times remained hospitalized with less threatening injuries, according to police.

A 26-year-old man from San Rafael who was beaten unconscious in a stadium bathroom was hospitalized in serious condition, police said.

The names of the victims have not been released.

Andraychak said no suspects were in custody. The shootings are being investigated as separate incidents, he said, but police are seeking any possible links.

Photos: (top) An officer holds a bloodied shirt as police investigate the scene of a shooting in the parking lot of Candlestick Park after a 49ers-Raiders game. Credit: Michael Macor / San Francisco Chronicle

(bottom) Oakland Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask can be seen at Saturday's game against the San Francsico 49ers at Candlestick Park. Credit: Kirby Lee / US Presswire